In The Classroom

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Professor Nicole Mockler as they discuss the intensification of teachers' work, time poverty and complex educational change. Nicole is a Professor of Education at the University of Sydney whose research explores teacher professional identity, education policy, and media representations of teachers. Her work sheds light on the stories told about teachers and teaching in the media, and how teachers' work is becoming increasingly intensified over time. In this episode, Nicole shares: 🏛️ How education policy often oversimplifies the complexity of teachers’ work 🧠 Why professional judgment and decision-making are at the heart of teaching 📰 What 65,000 media articles reveal about how teachers are represented in Australia 🤝 Why society needs to trust teachers more Subscribe for more episodes: https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au Follow us on social media: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InTheClassroomWithCatrionaVo 🌐 Website: https://intheclassroom.com.au Connect with Nicole Mockler: 🌐 Website: https://www.nicolemockler.com 🌐 University Profile: https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/about/our-people/academic-staff/nicole-mockler.html 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-mockler-05774399/

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with experienced English and Drama teacher, Melanie Ralph. With 17 years in the classroom and more than 1000 subscribers, Mel has supported countless teachers and students through her YouTube videos, booklets and practical resources via Bare Bones Teaching. She is a passionate, reflective, and self-directed educator whose work and influence reaches beyond her own classroom to empower many practitioners on the ground in the journey of sustaining their expertise. In this episode, Mel shares: 📚 How she teaches English and its intersections with drama 🧠 How she keeps herself intellectually curious and motivated to sustain learning 💬 What she’s learned about teacher agency, boundaries, and hope in a complex profession 📢 Follow us on social media: 📸 Instagram: @intheclassroom.au 🎧 Spotify: In the Classroom Podcast 🍏 Apple Podcasts: In the Classroom on Apple Podcasts 🌐 Website: intheclassroom.com.au Connect with Melanie Ralph: 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barebonesteaching 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barebonesteaching/ 🌐 Website: https://www.barebonesteaching.com/

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with early career primary teacher, David Chessell. After more than a decade in trade and business, David made the courageous leap into teaching during the pandemic and discovered his passion for teaching. Join us as David shares what it’s like to enter the classroom as a career changer, and how relationships, care, and trust form the foundation of great teaching. In this episode, David shares: 🍎 What it’s really like to transition into teaching later in life 🧩 How to navigate the workload and uncertainty of the early years 💬 Why new teachers often don’t know what help to ask for—and how schools can better support them 🤝 The importance of trust, family partnerships, and building a classroom culture where students feel safe, seen, and valued 🎧 Listen via Linktree https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au 📢 Follow us on social media 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intheclassroom.au 🎧 Spotify: In the Classroom Podcast 🌐 Website: https://intheclassroom.com.au

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with Professor Danny Liu to explore AI, assessment, and the future of learning. Danny is a molecular biologist by training, programmer by night, researcher and faculty developer by day, and educator at heart. Danny is a Professor of Educational Technologies at the University of Sydney where he co-chairs the University's AI in Education working group and leads the Cogniti.ai initiative that puts educators in the driver’s seat of AI. In this episode, Danny shares: 💡 Why we need to rethink learning outcomes in the age of AI 🔄 The shift from policing AI to exploring its possibilities 📜 How a “menu approach” helps students make healthy choices with AI tools 🤝 Why relationships are still the foundation of education—even in a tech-driven world Subscribe for more episodes: https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au Follow us on social media: 📸 Instagram: @intheclassroom.au 🎧 Spotify: In the Classroom Podcast 🌐 Website: intheclassroom.com.au Connect with Danny Liu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannydotliu/

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with education leader, author, and entrepreneur Dave Faulkner. From becoming a principal at just 24, to co-founding Education Changemakers, and now serving as Senior Vice President of Learning Services at Go1, Dave has spent over two decades driving innovation and impact across the education sector. He’s also the author of two bestselling books: Edupreneur: Unleashing Teacher-led Innovation in Schools and Dream Team: A Practical Playbook. In this episode, they explore: 🚸 What it’s like stepping into principalship early in your career 🚀 How Education Changemakers by Go1 grew from an idea into a global platform 📚 Why professional learning should be accessible, inspiring, and built for teachers 💡 The importance of grit, listening, and leaning into the uncomfortable as leaders 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes: https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au 📢 Follow us on social media: 📸 Instagram: @intheclassroom.au 📘 Facebook: In the Classroom on Facebook 💼 LinkedIn: In the Classroom on LinkedIn 🌐 Website: intheclassroom.com.au 🔗 Connect with Dave Faulkner: EC by Go1 Dave on LinkedIn

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with educator, author, and principal, Steven Trotter! Steven has been a teacher, principal, and system leader in the Victorian education system for over two decades. He’s the author of The Art of Skimming Stones, a book that offers an intentional, people-focused model for sustaining improvement in schools—without burning people out in the process. This conversation is a must-listen for teachers at every stage of their leadership journey. In this episode, Steven shares: 🪨 What “sustained improvement” really means 💡 Why leadership starts with self-awareness 🤝 How to build trust and lead people Subscribe for more episodes: 🔗 https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au Follow us on social media: 📸 Instagram: @intheclassroom.au 🎧 Spotify: In the Classroom Podcast 🌐 Website: intheclassroom.com.au Connect with Steven Trotter: 📚 The Art of Skimming Stones: Leading Sustained Improvement in Schools 🌐 https://steventrotter.com.au

Join Catriona Vo in conversation with educator, author, and leadership coach Gavin Grift! Gavin is a respected educator, author, and founder of Grift Education. With a career spanning over 30 years, Gavin has worn many hats: classroom teacher, deputy principal, educational consultant, and author of titles like Emerge: The Five Most Common Challenges Faced by Middle Leaders and How to Overcome Them, Collaborative Teams That Work, and Five Ways of Being: What Learning Leaders Think, Do and Say Every Day. In this episode, Gavin shares: 🧠 Why self-awareness is key to effective leadership in schools 😟 How to address imposter syndrome and people-pleasing archetypes 🔍 How leaders can use the Stages of Concern to better understand and support their teams Subscribe for more episodes: 🔗 YouTube Follow us on social media: 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Facebook 🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Website Connect with Gavin Grift: 🌐 Grift Education 📚 Grift Publishing

Join Catriona Vo as she sits down with Dr Bree Hurn to explore language and literacy in the classroom. Dr Bree Hurn is an experienced teacher who now works as a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Bree’s research interest combines language, literacy, and teacher professional learning, and she enjoys working with pre-service and practising teachers throughout Australia. She also hosts The Habit Nerd podcast, where she interviews a range of experts about positive work, health, and mindset habits. ✨ In this episode, Bree unpacks: 📚 The Teaching and Learning Cycle – scaffolding from field knowledge to independent construction 🗣️ Dialogic Talk – how to create a classroom where students move from being passive to active learners through talk 🧠 Functional Grammar – why understanding language-in-use empowers students to become better thinkers, readers, and writers 📅 Listen now and join the conversation! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring episodes. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes: YouTube 📢 Follow us on social media: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Website Follow Bree: Instagram The Habit Nerd Podcast

Join Catriona Vo as she sits down with Eddie Woo! Eddie Woo is Australia’s most beloved math educator and the mastermind behind Wootube! 🚀 Eddie is a mathematics teacher at Cherrybrook Technology High School with over 15 years of teaching experience. He’s known for his engaging mathematics lessons shared through his YouTube channel, which has over 1.8 million subscribers. Eddie is passionate about making maths accessible and engaging for all students and has received numerous awards, including being listed among the Top 10 Teachers in the Global Teacher Prize. Alongside his teaching, Eddie serves as a Professor of Practice at the University of Sydney. In this episode, Eddie shares: ✅ Powerful teaching strategies ✅ Insights on his journey as an educator ✅ How we can reimagine the way we teach 📅 Listen now and join the conversation! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring episodes. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes: Watch on YouTube 📢 Follow us on social media: 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Facebook 🔗 LinkedIn 🌍 Visit our website 🔗 Linktree Follow Eddie Woo for more inspiring education content: ⭐ YouTube ⭐ Instagram ⭐ Website

In this episode of In the Classroom, Dr. Julie Arnold, Lecturer in Education at Queensland University of Technology, joins us to explore how assessment for learning can empower teacher practice and student agency in schools. Her research focuses on accessible assessment practices in secondary English and Mathematics, as well as reflective teaching inquiry for equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education. Before and beyond university, Julie was a long-time English Head of Faculty, and she co-authors Cambridge’s Essential English for Queensland Schools, now in its third edition. As Vice President of the English Teachers Association of Queensland, Julie takes an active interest in instructional leadership and English curriculum development. Listen in for these highlights: 📝 Assessment for learning – Julie discusses what assessment for learning entails and implications for teachers in the classroom. 🧩 ‘Double fragmentation’ – Julie explains how we can construct a cohesive assessment approach for students, particularly for students who have language and attentional difficulties. 🎉 Shifting towards meaningful assessment practices – Julie shares how we can put the ‘joy’ back in assessment and discursively challenge assessment discourses that reinforce static measures of achievement over meaningful growth in learning. 🔗 To connect with Julie, please visit the following links: 🌟 LinkedIn 🌟 QUT Profile 🔗 Follow us: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Website

In this episode of In the Classroom, Julia Lippold, an EAL specialist teacher, joins us to discuss ways to support EAL/D learners in mainstream classrooms and key strategies for scaffolding language for multilingual students. 🌏📚 🏆 In 2022, Julia was recognised as one of The Educator’s Most Influential Educators for leading the EAL program at Lauriston Girls’ School and championing EAL education across Australia. 🎧 Listen in for these highlights: 📝 Scaffolding Language for EAL/D Learners – Strategies for supporting multilingual students and reducing cognitive load. ✅ Error Analysis & Proofing Strategies – Helping students refine their writing with correction codes, peer review, and structured proofing exercises. 📖 Bridging Research & Practice in EAL Education – Aligning language instruction with student development and recommended resources for teachers. 🔗 To connect with Julia, please visit the following links: 🌟 https://www.zealousenglish.com/ 🌟 https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-lippold-266a63121/

In this episode of In the Classroom, we're joined by Professor Sarah Prestridge! Sarah has dedicated over 30 years to transforming the field of Educational Technologies. In 2025, she was named Australia's top scholar in the field of Teaching and Teacher Education in the Australian's Top 250 Researchers List. From tinkering with simulation software in her Year 6 classroom in the early '90s to leading EdTech Lighthouse projects, join us on this episode as Sarah shares: 🎙️ Highlights: 🧑🏼‍🏫 How teachers and students can embrace technology’s role in education 🔥 What it looks like to orientate technology for student learning 🧠 Practical insights for educators navigating the digital age of AI 🔗 To connect with Sarah and read more about her, please visit the following links: 🌟 Griffith Profile 🌟 LinkedIn 🌟 Gen AI Article 🌟 The Australian Newspaper: The 2025 Research Magazine 🔗 Follow us: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Website

In this episode of In the Classroom, Dr. Ellen Larsen joins us to share her journey from classroom teacher to researcher, unpacking her passion for mentoring and empowering educators. Here’s what you can expect from this episode: ✨ Mentoring vs. Coaching 🔥 Building Intellectual Virtues 🧠 Connecting Research and Practice Dr. Ellen Larsen is Associate Head of Professional Engagement and Senior Lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland’s School of Education. A former classroom educator and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she specializes in teacher preparation, professional learning, and mentoring. Ellen has held leadership roles with ATEA and AARE and serves as Associate Editor of The Australian Educational Researcher. Her research focuses on teacher retention, education policy, and innovative pathways in teacher education. 🔗 To connect with Ellen and read more about her, please visit the following links: 🌟 USQ Profile: https://staffprofile.unisq.edu.au/Profile/Ellen-Larsen 🌟 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-larsen-6750a190/ 🌟 Website: https://www.ellenlarsen.com/ #InTheClassroom #EducationPodcast #MentoringMatters #TeacherEmpowerment #ProfessionalDevelopment #EduPodcast #TeachingJourney #EducationMatters

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Sue Webb, an educator passionate about teacher wellbeing. In this episode, Sue shares practical strategies for teachers to identify burnout, sustainable work practices and how to find balance in an overwhelming profession. What can you expect from our episode? We chat about: 🌟 Sustainable Work Practices 🌱 Proactive Strategies for Teacher Wellbeing 💪 Handling Stress Seasons We're giving away a copy of Sue's book, Teachers Cry Too, a story that captures the complexities and challenges of the modern classroom. All you need to do is listen and let us know what your thoughts were on this episode by commenting on any of our platforms to be in the running to receive a free book. Listen now: https://linktr.ee/intheclassroom.au Instagram for Sue Webb: @teacherscrytoo

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Matthews—a teacher, AI consultant, and CEO/co-founder of My TeacherAide. Together, we talk about the pain points of AI, how teachers can overcome hesitancies towards new technologies and the ways in which AI can help us have a bigger impact in our classrooms. Paul is a Tasmanian high school teacher and the co-founder and CEO of an innovative AI powered tool for teachers, called MyTeacherAide. This platform seeks to help empower schools and educators ease their workload, improve work-life balance and enhance teaching outcomes. Show notes/links: MyTeacherAide | AI-Powered EdTech Solution for Teachers Paul Matthews AI | Consultant | Tech Founder | Teacher https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmatthewsai/ Ebook Giveaway: Subscribe to our mailing list on our website 🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 🚨 We’re excited to offer you a FREE downloadable eBook on AI in Education! 📚✨ Thanks to Paul Matthews, a teacher, AI consultant, and CEO/co-founder of My TeacherAide, you can learn how AI can transform your teaching. Follow the steps below to receive a free guide that covers basic principles and practices for AI in your classroom. 🎁 How to Get Your FREE eBook: 1️⃣ Like this post 2️⃣ Subscribe to our mailing list on our website: www.intheclassroom.com.au We’ll send you a copy of the eBook. Don’t miss out on this chance to level up your classroom with the power of AI. 💡 #AIinEducation #FreeEbook #EdTech #ClassroomInnovation #AIForTeachers #Giveaway #DownloadNow #MyTeacherAide #IntheClassroom

Join us as we sit down with Dr Janelle Wills and talk about student engagement! In this episode, we’re diving deep into strategies for engaging learners, what makes up learning intentions & success criteria, and self-determination theory to bring you fresh ideas for the classroom. Dr Janelle Wills is an experienced educator with over 40 years of teaching and leadership roles in Australian education. Janelle holds a PhD that explored self-efficacy and reading development. She has also made significant contributions to various aspects of education, such as special education, gifted education, assessment, and feedback. Link to resources mentioned in this episode: Janelle Wills Education - https://www.jweducation.com.au/ Harvard Thinking Routines - https://pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines Kagan Australia - https://www.kaganaustralia.com.au/

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of drama in education with Jodie Whitehurst. Jodie shares her journey of embracing drama and language in the ISS Fellowship to insights gained from VicTESOL professional development sessions. We address misconceptions about drama and strategies like role-play, warm-ups, and multimodal techniques to build students’ confidence. We unpack the process-drama approach in language classrooms in Legal Studies and how physical embodiment connecting the brain and body is impactful for learning. **Resources** - Connecting through Drama by Victoria Campbell and Zoe Hogan - Process Drama for Second Language Teaching and Learning by Patrice Baldwin and Alicja Galazka For more info, visit The Language Scene or email Jodie at jodie@thelanguagescene.com.au. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to give it a rating and share with a colleague.